A senate RESOLUTION

 

TO CONGRATULATE Bill Gaither upON THE OCCASION OF HIS Ninetieth BIRTHDAY AND TO Commend him for his tremendous contributions to American Christian Music.

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to congratulate Bill Gaither upon the celebration of his ninetieth birthday, which occurred on March 28, 2026, and to commend him for his tremendous contributions to American Christian music; and

 

Whereas, a native of Alexandria, Indiana, Mr. Gaither was born on March 28, 1936, to parents George Gaither and Lela Hartwell. He is an alumnus of Anderson College and Ball State University; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Gaither began his career in gospel music by founding the Bill Gaither trio alongside his siblings Danny and Mary Ann in 1956, while a student at Anderson College. After graduating, he worked as an English teacher at Alexandria High School while pursuing music part-time. Mr. Gaither met his wife, Gloria, there in 1962 while she was a substitute French teacher. In 1967, he began working full time in the Christian music industry thanks to his breakout hit, "He Touched Me;" and

 

Whereas, over the years, Mr. and Mrs. Gaither have written over seven hundred gospel songs, which have been performed by Christian artists, country singers like the Statler Brothers, and pop legends like Elvis Presley. Together, they have collectively earned eight Grammy Awards and more than a dozen nominations, and they have received more than two dozen Dove Awards from The Gospel Music Association, earning the title of Gospel Music Association's "Songwriter of the Year" eight times; and

 

Whereas, the Gaither's Homecoming tours, which started in 1991, brought together major stars of the southern gospel and contemporary Christian music industries, sparking a revival of the genres. The tours have sold more than one million tickets across the world, and have included such notable venues as the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Gaither has been a father figure to many younger performers in the Contemporary Christian music industry, while helping to prolong the careers of those who came before him. Mark Lowry, Michael W. Smith, Carman, Sandi Patty, Steve Green, Don Francisco, Amy Grant, Michael English, Jonathan Pierce, Karla Worley, and Cynthia Clawson are all contemporary Christian artists who either got their start or became popular while touring with the Gaithers; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Gaither founded the Gaither Music Company, which includes the functions of record company, concert booking, television production, copyright management, recording studio, and telemarketing for the Gaither organization. After decades of unprecedented musical successes, Bill and Gloria still operate this business from Alexandria; and

 

Whereas, the South Carolina Senate takes great pleasure in honoring such an icon in American Christian music on his ninetieth birthday and wishes him much success in the years ahead.  Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the Senate:

 

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, congratulate Bill Gaither upon the occasion of his ninetieth birthday and commend him for his tremendous contributions to American Christian music.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Bill Gaither.

----XX----